Arts

Drama

At Cranbourne East Secondary College, all students in Year 7 partake in a semester of Drama. At the junior level, focus is on developing the expressive skills of voice, gesture, facial expression and movement- as well as common styles and techniques used to create and devise their own performances. Students are often working in groups to create and rehearse these performances and explore popular forms such as comedy, mime, melodrama, fairytale, and indigenous storytelling through workshops and exercises.

Students can choose to study Drama from Year 9 onwards. In Year 9, students study Renaissance Theatre- in particular Commedia Dell’Arte and Shakespeare. They will continue to build their expressive skills, and will start to look at what happens behind the scenes- with Production Areas such as lighting, sound, costume, set and props. In Year 9, students will also have the opportunity to see live theatre performances, and analyse them.

Year 10 students who choose to study Drama will be involved in a unique class project, endorsed by Drama Victoria. Students will devise a class play, and present this work to other schools from across Victoria. Students will continue developing their expressive skills, and knowledge of production areas- but will also learn about the dramatic elements and why they’re necessary for creating dynamic performances. They will also study theatre styles that explore the notion of ‘creating a social and political change’ such as Epic Theatre and Poor Theatre and will explore these theatre styles and dramatic elements through class workshops and rehearsals.

In VCE Drama, students continually build their understanding of expressive skills, production areas, dramatic elements, and theatre styles in a range of group and solo performances. They will explore and experiment with an eclectic range of theatre styles that focus on going beyond the reality of life as it is lived. Students will also have the opportunity to see live theatre performances and analyse in detail. It is an intense performance-based subject that requires a lot of dedication- but is extremely rewarding. Students who are interested in this subject are encouraged to read the study design on the VCAA website for further details and speak to their Drama teacher about the expectations placed on students in this subject

Instrumental Music

At Cranbourne East Secondary College, we offer students the opportunity to learn the following instruments in a group or individually:

Bass Guitar

Drums

Guitar

Piano

Voice

Students have these lessons during the school day and times are on a rotating basis so that they do not miss the same subject each week. Cost varies depending on whether having group or individual lessons. Through Music Education, the students are led to an awareness of music and an appreciation of the part music plays in their own lives and in the lives of others.

Opportunities are given to students to perform at various concerts throughout the year such as Open Mic, assemblies and Music Soiree Concerts. Students will also have the opportunity to join the singing or guitar ensemble which will enhance their skills and connection with the program.

Information and enrolment forms for the following year will be available during term 4.

Media

Media Studies is a subject which attempts to explain what impact The Media (Movies, Games, Radio, the News etc.) has on you as a human being. It is a philosophical subject where there are no right\wrong answers. There are practical elements which include learning how to use photoshop and podcasting. Various media issues will be explored with topics including Conspiracy Theories, Internet Piracy and Violence in The Media.

There are 4 units which will be completed. The first will look at representation and you will complete a school magazine. The second will be a film analysis. The third unit will be about Media Issues and the final unit will be a journalism unit about said issues.

Content

• Beginner Photoshop

• Podcasting

• Film Analysis

• Media Issues

• Journalism

Assessment

• School Magazine

• Film Review

• Podcast

• News Report

• Book work

Music

At Cranbourne East Secondary College, our Music program provides all students with the opportunity to engage with music as a listener, composer and performer. Music at CESC is heavily practical, whilst only studying the essential theoretical concepts needed, allowing the maximum opportunity for student engagement; promoting higher achievement and quality of outcomes.

Students begin in Year 8 by focusing on the foundation music theory required to be an informed and knowledgeable musician. Students learn how to play simple songs on the Guitar, Keyboard and learn simple rhythms using the drum kit and hand percussion.

From Year 9 onwards, Music is an elective subject, with students choosing between Music Production and Rockband in Year 9. Students in Music Production use cloud-based websites and/or Digital Audio Workstation software to create a 2-3 minute composition. Rockbands rehearse together in class time and perform in front of their classmates and the wider-school community at Open Mic sessions held every month at school.”

Performing Arts Pathway

VISION

To provide opportunities to challenge gifted and talented students with a passion for Performing Arts in order for them to achieve outstanding academic and social outcomes. Through Music, Dance, Media and Drama the Performing Arts Pathway program wishes to create, explore and perform the philosophy that an idea, emotion or theme can be expressed through performance in an individual and collaborative manner.

PURPOSE

The Performing Arts Pathway program strives to empower students with creative learning opportunities to reach excellence with pride. Students will combine and collaborate in this Performing Arts program, as students train in their chosen field and further develop their skills.

VALUES

The values of the program go beyond just performance-based achievements, focusing on team work, leadership, problem-solving, creativity and reflective thinking, goal setting, organisational skills. This creative atmosphere will allow students to gain valuable theoretical knowledge on how to devise a performance and then move onto practical exploration where they will hone their skills in their chosen field (either Music, Dance, Media and Drama).

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

Students are to indicate that they would like to be considered for selection for the programs, and where there are more students asking for consideration than places, students will be ranked using information regarding attendance data, teacher recommendation, written application and interview/audition.

Offers to each of the programs will be dependent on the number of students selecting the program, the level at which the student fulfils the criteria and the availability of places in each stream. Places ARE limited; therefore, it is possible that not all applicants will be successful, and as such all applications will be assessed on merit.

This program is ideal for anyone who has an interest in the performing arts and exploring this area in VCE or outside of school. It’s time to develop your star quality!

STRUCTURE

This program is open to Year 9 students and is designed to fit around their core subjects like other electives. There are 8 periods per fortnight, consisting of:

2 practical classes

2 theory classes

Students will also have access to the following:

Instrumental Music lessons- on rotating basis during class time

Excursions to see live performances

Industry workshops

Special guests

The opportunity to perform at College events

Use of theatre, instrumental rooms and performing arts facilities for rehearsals

Production

The College Production is an annual event which features actors, singers and dancers from Year 7 through to Year 12. It gives students the opportunity to develop their performance skills outside the classroom and connect with like-minded students outside their home group and year level.

Students are also able to develop their skills in lighting, sound, makeup, costumes and backstage crew, and we encourage all students, staff members, parents and members of the school community to assist us with our working bee days- either in set building/painting, or prop and costume making.

All students are invited to be a part of our college productions. For more information, please check out our “CESC Production” Facebook page.